2007

Privacy laws need better controls, technology, panelists say

"Nothing is ever forgotten," said Deirdre Mulligan, a law professor at UC Berkeley. "Are there ways to say affirmatively, 'We will not look at your bankruptcy of eight or 10 years ago and use it to make a decision?' "

The five panelists - Mulligan, who directs the law school's technology and public policy clinic; three corporate privacy officers; and Joanne McNabb, head of the California Office of Privacy Protection - spent most of the hourlong discussion raising questions. The meeting spoke to the growing urgency felt in both academic and private circles regarding privacy and technology, a world where information wants to be free but people get hurt in the process.